Beavers in Alaska

Before the introduction of beavers to Kodiak Island in 1925 (adfg), there is a minimal written record of populations of Beavers and their habitats. Some observations and stories let us know that Beavers have existed near forested and wetland regions for a long time. Exactly how long? We don’t know. These questions are better answered by the tribes that have and continue to strive for harmony between humans and beavers while acknowledging the existing conflicts.

Life of Beavers

Although there are two species of beaver known, in Alaska, the species that in this ecosystem is Castor canadensis. As mentioned before, they have huge front teeth. So large their front upper teeth can be 20 to 25 mm long (almost an inch), and these teeth continue to grow throughout their lifetime. Beavers live about 10 to 12 years in the wild and can get up to about four feet long (approx. 1 m).

Since they have a heavy top coat of fur and a soft undercoat, they can be comfortable in all temperatures. Beavers eat the bark and shoots of woody trees, other herbaceous plants, and some aquatic plants. These animals live in family groups, with monogamous partners. Once sexually mature, they will have two to four kits (pups). Once a beaver reaches two years old, they typically leave to find their own territory.

Beavers give birth in their lodges. Once this happens, the male moves to another den so the female can rest and feed the new kits. When the male cares for the young he simultaneously teaches them how to eat plants since he does not have milk. For those first two years young beavers are not expected to build or harvest; they simply learn from following their parents and learning from their family how to be a beaver.

 Beaver Architecture

A majority of the time, the beaver is busy with work. And as these mammals are primarily nocturnal animals, much of this goes unseen. Since beavers have the instinct to build, wherever they hear running water, you can find their architecture near rivers, forested areas, and wetlands. Simultaneously, beavers only build dams that they need. If rivers are wide, they will create burrows and tunnels rather than dams.

While awake, beavers eat and build intricate dam habitats, which their homes typically connect through logs and underwater passageways. Beavers are some of the biggest members of the rodent family. These animals have thick fur and flattened webbed feet that help them easily propel through the water. With their strong jaws and giant, sharp front teeth, they can easily fall trees to have materials to build with.

 History of Beavers

For thousands of years, indigenous peoples have cared for the ecosystem sustainably and have had a balance between hunting and trapping beavers for sustenance. While some languages do not translate into written records, we have written accounts and observations of populations starting in the late 1800s. In a 1925 journal, there is a record of trappers being offered $50 for each live beaver delivered to the office of Cordova by the Alaska Game Commission.

While 34 live beavers were delivered, sadly, 10 of them did not make it. Thankfully, some escaped, while others were found dead before biologist released them. The beavers that did survive seem to like the island and have a healthy population without disrupting the natural balance of the environment. While some instances like this involve transport, over time, animal population fluctuation is influenced by animals migrating as the planet’s temperatures and environments change.

Sustainability for Beavers

Beaver Camo

For beavers to maintain a healthy balance with the ecosystem, they need to have two to three meters of water available to them. While water is essential not only to the whole ecosystem, humans included, this also supports the benefits beavers off their surroundings. They can use the water to create nutrient reserves in their dams. These reserves are a vital source of food for fish, other aquatic animals and bugs, and nearby flora that gets gradually released.

Quick temperature fluctuations can be problematic with beavers. However, they are the most skilled in repairing leaks on their dams if waters are to rise quickly. Simultaneously, the water flow is how they escape from predators quickly. And while in the past, there have been over-harvesting issues during specific fashion booms of the 1900s and trade during war times. Due to this over-exploitation efforts have been made and practiced to ensure that the stability of their population remains stable and healthy.

Although beavers can be pests to industrialization, they are also just as important as crops grown, highway construction, and lumber milling. These large rodents offer the intelligence and honed skills to understand ecological balance. Some of their most important contributions include controlling runoff, erosion, and floods and change water levels to support rich vegetation and food supply.

And beavers might just be the best teachers humans have when learning about engineering, flood control, and how to use natural materials for fortification. So, beavers are essential, and they’re doing well, so we have the opportunity to practice a healthier balance of relationship with them and learn from them.